I've been a pool owner for 20 years, but just switched to salt water this year. Only had Chlorine Demand issues a couple of times during those 20 years, and both times I drained my pool down and double or triple shocked my pool with Cal Hypo. Since I rarely had an issue the last few years, I let my guard down, and did not test my pool very often, and had my SWG set to 30%. I left town for a week in June, and returned to a cloudy pool. In the past I have relied heavily on the pool stores tests, and have bought a few of my chemicals there to keep them happy, however this year they are charging for the tests and are not very cooperative in that they refused to do a chlorine demand test for me. That is the only store in our town that does testing so I searched online and found this forum. I ordered the TF-100 test kit today, and am debating what steps to take in the meantime. Here are my numbers from water tests performed at the pool store.
6/26 - Came home and pool was cloudy. Could barely see bottom in 3 ft. area.
CYA: not tested
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 8.3
CH: 329
TA: 143
Actions taken: Acid to bring down TA and PH. Set SWG to Superchlorinate. Added a few ounces of clarifier. Added a half bottle of Algecide because of all the rain we had the week we were away.
6/30 - Clarity of water was better, but still not seeing bottom in deep end.
CYA: 103
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 7.3
CH: 365
TA: 109
Actions taken: 3 lbs Cal Hypo. then waited a few hrs, then 2 gal. bleach, and kept SWG set on Superchlorinate. Added more clarifier and SparkleUp(flocking agent) next day. Couple ounces of Algecide added.
7/2 - Can now see bottom of pool in the deep end, but water lacks clarity and luster(dull)
CYA: not tested
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 7.8
CH: 340
TA: 149
Phophates were tested and found to be 500
Actions taken : More acid to bring down TA and PH, and Put in 1 liter Phosfree. Shocked with 5 lbs Cal Hypo, waited a few hrs, then added couple more gallons of bleach, and SWG set to 100%.
Today - Water is clear, but each of the times we vacuumed the pool, we noticed a dirty film on the liner which may have been algae. Looks like a film of dirt. Not as much residue on the bottom as we have noticed from the previous few times, but still not holding chlorine. Noticed CYA really high, which probably explains why I haven't reached chlorine breakpoint?
CYA:131
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 8.1
CH: 339
TA: 154
They also gave me a Saturation index of .9 (haven't researched this to know what that is all about)
Actions taken: Added acid to bring down TA and PH. Now waiting to hear from all of you experienced people to give suggestions. Was thinking of a partial drain. Maybe 1/3 then shock with 10 gallons of bleach???? Any other suggestions ideas.
6/26 - Came home and pool was cloudy. Could barely see bottom in 3 ft. area.
CYA: not tested
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 8.3
CH: 329
TA: 143
Actions taken: Acid to bring down TA and PH. Set SWG to Superchlorinate. Added a few ounces of clarifier. Added a half bottle of Algecide because of all the rain we had the week we were away.
6/30 - Clarity of water was better, but still not seeing bottom in deep end.
CYA: 103
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 7.3
CH: 365
TA: 109
Actions taken: 3 lbs Cal Hypo. then waited a few hrs, then 2 gal. bleach, and kept SWG set on Superchlorinate. Added more clarifier and SparkleUp(flocking agent) next day. Couple ounces of Algecide added.
7/2 - Can now see bottom of pool in the deep end, but water lacks clarity and luster(dull)
CYA: not tested
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 7.8
CH: 340
TA: 149
Phophates were tested and found to be 500
Actions taken : More acid to bring down TA and PH, and Put in 1 liter Phosfree. Shocked with 5 lbs Cal Hypo, waited a few hrs, then added couple more gallons of bleach, and SWG set to 100%.
Today - Water is clear, but each of the times we vacuumed the pool, we noticed a dirty film on the liner which may have been algae. Looks like a film of dirt. Not as much residue on the bottom as we have noticed from the previous few times, but still not holding chlorine. Noticed CYA really high, which probably explains why I haven't reached chlorine breakpoint?
CYA:131
FC: 0
CC: .1
PH: 8.1
CH: 339
TA: 154
They also gave me a Saturation index of .9 (haven't researched this to know what that is all about)
Actions taken: Added acid to bring down TA and PH. Now waiting to hear from all of you experienced people to give suggestions. Was thinking of a partial drain. Maybe 1/3 then shock with 10 gallons of bleach???? Any other suggestions ideas.